Pneumatic structure and associated production method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional three-dimensional pneumatic structures face challenges such as complex assembly, difficulty in folding, significant deformation during inflation, and limited rigidity, making them unsuitable for applications requiring controlled shape change and improved rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic structure with an inextensible body featuring a network of internal cavities, each with a closed contour and fluidically connected channels forming direction-changing angles, allowing for controlled shape transformation and increased rigidity through pressurization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If traditional pneumatic structures use complex assembly of flat membranes by bonding along the periphery, then three-dimensional shape can be achieved, but the manufacturing complexity increases and the structure becomes difficult to fold
Solution Approach 1:
The structure divides the three-dimensional form into multiple planar panels that remain flat during storage but can be deployed into 3D configurations. Each panel is a separate segment that simplifies manufacturing while collectively forming the complex shape when assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional 3D curved surfaces to a 2D planar configuration that can be easily stored and transported. The panels are designed to fold flat in one dimension while maintaining the capability to form three-dimensional shapes in other dimensions when deployed.
2Ease of operation
If pneumatic structures have internal channels that generate substantial deformations during inflation, then actuation is achieved, but the structure curves, lengthens, contracts, or twists during pressurization
Solution Approach 1:
The internal channels are designed with specific curvature patterns that control the distribution of inflation forces. By optimizing the curvature and orientation of channels within each panel, the structure achieves uniform expansion without unwanted twisting or localized deformations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the structure have channels with different orientations and curvature characteristics tailored to local requirements. This allows each panel to inflate uniformly while the overall structure achieves the desired global shape transformation without unwanted local deformations.
3Strength
If pneumatic structures are made from inextensible body to prevent material deformation, then rigidity is improved, but the structure has limited use for applications requiring shape change
Solution Approach 1:
The structure uses rigid panels that are statically strong but dynamically reconfigurable through folding mechanisms. The rigidity is maintained within each panel during operation, while the overall structure can dynamically change shape by altering the relative positions and orientations of the rigid panels through controlled inflation and deflation cycles.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The structure achieves rapid and reproducible shape change with enhanced rigidity, being self-supporting in the pressurized state and easily deployable from a compact, foldable configuration to a three-dimensional form.
Implementation Method 1
every cavity being suitable for being pressurized so as to change the inextensible body from a rest configuration to at least one pressurized configuration
Implementation Method 2
the inextensible body having, in every pressurized configuration, a macroscopic metric distinct from the macroscopic metric thereof in the rest configuration
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a pneumatic structure (10) comprising an inextensible body (12) defining at least a network of internal cavities (14), each cavity having a closed contour in at least one section of the cavityEach cavity being suitable for being pressurized so as to change the inextensible body from a rest configuration to at least one pressurized configuration,Inextensible body having, in each pressurized configuration, a macroscopic metric different from its macroscopic metric in the rest configuration,Each cavity being formed of at least two substantially rectilinear channels, each channel being fluidly connected to at least one of the other channels, the two said channels forming a heading change angle,Each cavity comprising at least one non-zero heading change angle, in particular at least three non-zero heading change angles.